Reservations around safer routes proposals at south Mayo school

CONSULTATION and a site meeting has been requested after proposals for an active travel project at Cong National School came before councillors yesterday.

The project is being progressed under An Taisce's Safer Routes to School Scheme and is moving to detailed design stage, with hopes for construction later this year or spring 2026.

However, councillors expressed reservations about some aspects of what is proposed after receiving a presentation on the preliminary design at their monthly municipal meeting.

One aspect is a park and stride facility, dropping pupils off at Cong carpark, with a 300-400m walk to the school. But Councillor Damian Ryan wondered what will happen on wet mornings, when children face a deluge of rain.

Existing points of concern in the study area include narrow footpaths, the lack of crossing points, and illegal parking at drop-off and pick-up times at Cong NS, including motorists making u-turns.

The proposed active travel project includes safer crossings, increased footpath width, park and stride locations, bus setdown and disabled parking outside the school, and a crossing providing connectivity to the community centre.

Councillor Ryan said he was in favour of improving infrastructure but there needed to be engagement with elected representatives and other stakeholders in the community, including the local garda. This was the first consultation councillors had received, and he requested a hard copy of the preliminary design and a site visit.

He also asked about lighting along the route, and was concerned about reducing the width of the carriageway.

The park and stride facility at the car park was fine on a summer morning, he added, but provision had to be made for when it rains.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien also requested some clarification, expressing reservations about the width of the road, with 200 HGVs on it every day.

They needed to be satisfied as councillors that it was going to work, he said, and he also asked for a site visit where they could ask questions.

Councillor O'Brien also asked how the project might affect the proposed bypass of Cong.

Councillor Neil Cruise wondered if a loop could be put around the school for drop-offs.

Members were told the road width will cater for two HGVs meeting. Public lighting is included from the carpark to the school, with an upgrade to existing lights to LED.

The project team will discuss rectifying consultation and organising a meeting and hard copy of the proposals.

They are liaising with the bypass design team to make sure whatever comes out fits for both schemes.

There will be detailed analysis as the project moves through the detailed design phase.